The best treadmill reviews you can trust
The NordicTrack X32i is a luxury treadmill in our $2500+ high-end treadmill category. It has a massive 32” display, an impressive incline range, and a handful of convenient accessories. Check out the complete review to get to know this treadmill.
Last Updated: 9-20-2022
If you’re considering a home treadmill is the price range of $2500+, the X32i is one we recommend considering. The X32i has a massive display that changes the treadmill experience dramatically. As you view iFit workout videos from the 32-inch display, you’re transported to different locations around the world for your every-day run or walk. The kind of engagement you get from a display this large and a library of workouts this expansive is pretty amazing. It takes the boredom out of any treadmill workout.
Depending on the time of year, the X32i fluctuates in price. We were able to snag ours for $3999 and see it regularly priced as such. Normally, the MSRP is about $5k. But at this price point, you’re getting a heck of a machine.
The X32i is up there in price and there’s no doubt about that. A much larger display on the X32i will run you about a thousand dollars more than if you were to buy the X22i. So our first consideration is price range. But disregarding cost, the X32i is really built for everyone.
You can accomplish just about anything with the X32i.
This treadmill is really awesome. The only downside to it is the price tag. Is a larger display really worth a thousand dollar increase in price? If you’re not concerned with cost, then we say “GO FOR IT!” A 32-inch display really makes for a cool experience. But if you’re not interested in the X32i’s price tag, check out the X22i — huge display, same motor/warranty/incline/user capacity, and $1000 less expensive.
MODEL OVERVIEW
Motor Size: 4.25 CHP
Running Area: 22” W x 65” L
Weight Capacity: 300 lbs
Folding: No
Footprint In Use: 76.5” L x 40” W x 73” H
Max Speed: 12 mph
Electrical Requirements:
Warranties: 10 year frame warranty, 2 year parts warranty, 1 year labor warranty
Roller Size: 2.5” precision, balanced, non-flex rollers
Cushioning: Yes, substantial amount
Customer Support: Access customer support via email, web chat, or phone.
Return Policy: Returns are possible within 30 days of receipt. Expect a return shipping fee of $250 plus a 10% restocking fee. Original shipping fees will not be refunded.
Other:
Motor Size: There aren’t a lot of home treadmills out there with motors as strong as this one. A 4.25 chp motor is even larger than a lot of treadmills you’ll find at your local gym. Additionally, the motor is located at the back end of the deck, making the front end of the running surface roomier because there is no longer a need for a large motor cover.
Weight Capacity: At first, we were disappointed in the weight capacity. Three hundred pounds is slightly limiting. But, it’s reasonable when you consider the necessary weight limitations for safely reaching a 40% incline. If you need something with a weight capacity greater than 300 pounds, take a look at Sole Treadmills.
Running Area: Because the X32i was able to provide more room on the running surface by putting the motor at the back end of the deck, this treadmill has a very large running surface - larger than most treadmills (22” x 65”).
Folding: Are you looking to save space? If so, this might not be the treadmill for you. Not only does the X32i have a large footprint, it does NOT fold. Take a look at the NordicTrack Commercial 2950 for folding treadmill with similar features and accessories.
Cushioning: A noticeable feature of the X32i is the cushioning in the deck. Whether you’re walking or running, you can feel a noticeable bounce as each foot strikes the deck. Anyone in need of an impact conscious treadmill, for whatever reason, this is the way to go. Really, any of the Incline Treadmills from NordicTrack is what we would recommend for better cushioning. This series of treadmills has the most noticeable cushioning in the deck and it makes a massive difference on sore or sensitive joints.
Handrails: The X32i has a unique handrail assembly. You have three options: reaching up, right in front of you or off to the sides. The high handrails were surprisingly useful, especially as you get further into a workout. It feels really good to reach up, stretch, and hang on as you power through your workout. When the X32i reaches higher inclines, these high up handrails are more level with your upper body and more convenient to hold onto versus the push bar in front of the console.
Incline Range: -6% to 40%
Display: 22” HD touchscreen display
On-Board Workouts: 50 + iFit Library
Speakers: Yes, Two 3” speakers. Can project audio from mobile device via Bluetooth.
Fans: Yes
Heart Rate Monitoring: Bluetooth chest strap HR monitor included
USB port: No
HDMI port: No
Audio Jack: Yes
Water bottle cubbies: Yes
Tablet holder: No
Other:
Incline Range: The X32i has an incomparable incline range. Very few treadmills on the market today can reach the same 40% incline or even the -6% decline. NordicTrack financed a study to show the effectiveness of exercising at a steeper incline and you can read that here. We also put it to the test and the results were undeniable — a higher incline makes any treadmill workout a butt-kicking workout.
Display: The X32i has a massive display screen. We’re still not sure how we feel about it to be honest! It measures 32 inches diagonally and depending on your height, you’ll experience some type of discomfort with it. Our taller testers are over 6 feet and had to look down too often to see the display. Our shorter/average-sized testers are 5’2” to 5’7” and had to get used to a massive screen being very close to their face. But even though we were all scratching our heads a bit, we were still really intrigued by the large display and gravitated towards the X32i more than other treadmills in our office.
Running on a treadmill with a display this size changes the whole experience. Instead of staring at the wall, or even out the window, you can watch videos that have you running through remote and beautiful scenic locations all around the world. Personal trainers coach you during the run and there are so many videos to choose from, you literally never have to rewatch a single one if you choose not to. This display combined with the iFit subscription makes working out on a treadmill FUN.
On-board Workouts: The X32i doesn’t require you to pay for a subscription service. Without iFit, you still have access to 50 standard workout programs. With iFit, you have nearly unlimited options for your daily workout.
Fans: A lot of treadmill manufacturers include fans on their console, but few of them actually make a difference. NordicTrack has nailed the cooling fan and we are so grateful for them. These fans make a major difference for comfort and make it a lot easier to keep going once we’re all hot and sticky.
Heart Rate Monitoring: NordicTrack provides free chest strap HR monitors with their incline treadmills. We’ve never had a problem with these HR monitors. There is no programming necessary. Once the battery is inserted, the chest strap registers with the treadmill and tracks (very accurately) your heart rate from start to finish. Batteries can be replaced, the sensor can be detached, and the strap is machine washable.
Manual mode/sled push: The NordicTrack X32i now has a sled push mode. There is also a new handrail that runs across the base of the console. To use in manual mode, set the treadmill to 1 mph. Then you can manually move the tread without damaging the motor. This is one more feature on the X32i that opens up a world of possibilities for home training.
Water Bottle Holders: The water bottles are located behind the console on the X32i. This design flaw makes it pretty hard to keep a 24 oz water bottle in it. The display mount intrudes on the air space for the water bottle holder. This causes the water bottle to lean and fall out of the holder. Storing a phone or another device in the water bottle holder is also annoying because it’s not an easy cubby to reach while you’re actively running. This treadmill is definitely missing a practical solution for storing accessories.
Name: iFit
Brief Description: View an expansive library of studio treadmill classes, outdoor running, walking, and hiking tours, google maps, and more. iFit classes control your treadmill to change your incline/decline and speed to mimic real-world terrain and training scenarios.
Cost: Free for 1 month with purchase of X32i from NordicTrack.
User Profiles: $180 per year for one user profile OR $39 per month for up to 5 user profiles
Class Varieties:
Community: Share results, create and join challenges, post to message boards Subscription Limitations: We’re crossing our fingers that iFit can make their UX more user-friendly and intuitive. Currently, the learning curve is a little uncomfortable.
Learn more about iFit here
There is really very little wrong with the X32i. Besides the issue with storage (no tablet/phone holder, accessory trays, and poorly planned water bottle holders), it’s a really fun and comfortable treadmill to use. If money weren’t an issue, we’d recommend this treadmill to everyone! But money is, and always will be, an issue for most of us. Because of the X32i’s really high price point, it’s not our top recommendation for treadmills over $2500 (check out the X22i) but it still earns a hefty 4.5 stars making it a great option for home treadmills.
We always recommend buying treadmills directly from the manufacturer. This tends to result in better customer service, help when you need it, and even returns are easier.
Also, by going through NordicTrack, you can be sure you are receiving the best deal as well as the latest model of the X32i. Use a NordicTrack promo code to get a deal on the NordicTrack X32i Incline Treadmill.
